When Chronic Pain Crashes Your Dreams (Thanks, Fibro)

I recently saw a specialist and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I've always dealt with chronic low back pain, but these symptoms were different — flu-like body aches, waking up already in pain, and that pins-and-needles feeling from my hands to my toes. Not to mention the sharp, electric jolts, awful migraines, and crushing fatigue.

And of course, all of this kicked in just as I was finally getting my business up and running. The audacity of that timing, right?

If you’re not familiar, 👉 Fibromyalgia is classified as widespread muscle and joint pain. It can look a little different for everyone in terms of symptoms. The best way it was explained to me is that your body’s “pain thermostat” is broken — so pain sensations are amplified, and things that normally wouldn’t hurt can become very painful.

Sometimes it’s linked to an underlying autoimmune disorder (I’m still waiting on those test results). Either way, there’s no cure — just symptom management.

So what does that mean for my dream?

What does this mean for my lifelong dream of farming and raising those adorable, fluffy mini moos?

Well, since I sadly can’t trade this body in for a new one (the audacity!), I’ll just have to take things one day at a time. Some days will be better than others. And some days, I might be completely unwilling — or unable — to move my aching limbs.

I have already started to change my diet, reduce my stress level by talking with a professional and yoga!

But I’ll tell you what — it won’t stop me.

Those precious little floofy pasture pups make my day, and seeing the joy they bring to my kids’ faces makes even the worst pain feel worth it.